Note: Most of MLB is Raising Tix Prices
…i am still getting e-mails from fans, and questions from out-of-town reporters, regarding the 20 percent hike in ticket prices for Shea Stadium next season…as i said at the time, it’s quite gutsy, and while it will certainly keep me from attending as many games as i did last season, i understand why they’re doing it…especially since, i bet, they still end up breaking last season’s attendance mark…
In the Star-Ledger, Dan Graziano writes…
“The problem isn’t that the prices are going up. The problem is that the Mets’ front office hasn’t done anything this winter to justify it.”
…at the same time, though, if the Mets do or do not acquire Johan Santana, the average fan’s income isn’t going to change…that, plus ticket prices, is why some fans will not be going to as many games next season…it’s not that we lack motivation…believe me, last year’s fan still wants to go to shea this coming season, he just can’t afford it now…santana or no santana isn’t going to magically give people more money to spend at a baseball game…
By the way, according to local reports from their respective markets, the Yankees, Mariners, Angels, Nationals, Rockies, Reds, Astros, Cardinals, Brewers, Orioles, Red Sox, Cubs and Royals, among others, will all raise ticket prices an average of 15 percent next season.
…the Royals and O’s each won 69 games last season, and they’re raising ticket prices…now that is absurd…
…fact is, despite ticket prices, $5 hot dogs and $20 parking, baseball is in high demand right now, stadiums are shrinking their seating capacity, the game is making money hand over fist, stadiums are selling out, and we’re all still paying to be part of it…my point, though, is at what level do we reach a tipping point and simply stop going because it is no longer affordable…for some, it could very well be right now…and i hope baseball knows this…because, speaking as a passionate, die-hard fan, regardless of money, i have no interest in going to a stadium that is full of polite, disinterested people who have no interest in who wins or loses…you know, like Yankee Stadium in October…i’d just as soon watch from home at that point, i’m sad to say…
